Phobias

Definition

A phobia is an intensely fearful response to a situation or object.
Phobias can interfere with different aspects of your life. Most phobias develop in childhood, though some develop during adulthood.

There are many kinds of phobias, which can be grouped into these categories:

Agoraphobia—Fear of being trapped in places or situations where escape could be difficult or impossible.

Social phobia—Fear of social situations and being judged or evaluated by others.

Specific phobia—Fear of a specific object or a situation.

People with phobias don't have any control over their
anxiety. Treatment includes medications and counseling.

Causes

The cause of phobias is unknown. It may be a combination of genetic factors, family environment, critical life stressors, and underlying temperament that interact to enhance or trigger cerebral fear networks.

Risk Factors

Phobias are more common in women than in men. They also tend to run in families.

You may have an increased chance of developing a phobia if:

You have an immediate family member with a phobia

You have a significant stressful event in your past such as trauma, family difficulties, or physical illness

Symptoms

Symptoms occur when you are exposed to the object or situation that you fear. Your fear may become more intense if you can't easily get away from it.

Psychological symptoms may include:

Having intense feelings of panic and extreme anxiety when exposed to the phobia

Being afraid that you are going to be hurt, losing control, going crazy, or dying

Having a feeling of unreality or being detached from your body

Being aware that the fear is abnormal, but not being able to control your reaction

Feeling the desire to flee from your fear or taking extreme steps to avoid it

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A physical and psychological exam will be done.

There are no tests that can diagnose phobias. The diagnosis will be made based on your symptoms.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

Therapy

Therapy will be based on your individual needs. It may be done in combination with other treatment methods. Some therapy options include:

Exposure therapy—Confront your fear in a planned and controlled way with a therapist. It may begin with thinking about the fear and slowly progress to being exposed to it. You may also learn relaxation techniques. These help to reduce panic and anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy—Work with your therapist to learn strategies to cope with your fear. You learn to change your beliefs and thoughts surrounding the fear and how it affects your life.

Prevention

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.